Felicity & Tom | Penshurst Place wedding

One from the archives – Felicity and Tom’s Penshurst Place wedding! Felicity and Tom were married at St Johns The Baptist followed by a reception at the stunning Penshurst Place, just a short walk away from the church. If you’re looking for wedding photography at Penshurst place – read the post, look at the piccies then drop me a line to discuss your coverage!

I’ve got so many weddings on backlog to blog, but thought I’d get Felicity & Tom’s beautiful ‘British summer’ wedding up on the blog! A stunning day, with typical British summertime weather – lovely and sunny one minute, then the heavens opened! Not ideal for the bride and groom (or me, I forgot to bring my coat!!) but I’m sure everyone had a fantastic day at this stunning village wedding celebrating with their nearest and dearest.

Bridal Prep

I started the day with Felicity and her extended family at bridal prep – quite a few people present but enough so that there was plenty going on and it wasn’t too chaotic! As usual I documented the details (including Felicity’s lovely Hunter wellies – she must have had a premonition that rain was on it’s way!!) then settled down to tell the story of hair, makeup and an excited family getting ready for Felicity’s big day!

For a while everyone enjoyed the sunshine in the garden, before it was time for Felicity to get into her amazing dress – so nice to see something a bit different, Felicity’s dress had a hint of pale blue flowers on it – gorgeous!

Once the dress was on, mum and step-dad had seen her and gifts exchanged, I hot-footed it through the back lanes to the stunning village of Penshurst.

Ceremony

After bridal prep I met up with my (much missed) assistant Tash Lowther at St John the Baptist Penshurst to photograph the stunning church and then meet up with Tom and his Guard Of Honour. I really felt for Tom as the weather by now was very humid – we joked about how it needed to rain to clear the air….prophetic words indeed!

As the guests started to arrive, the odd spot of rain started to fall… which then increased to, well, a torrential downpour. Stupidly, I’d left my coat in the car at Penshurst Place so although I could shelter whilst waiting for Felicity’s arrival, at some stages there was no choice but to get soaked. Sometimes rain photos are great, you do get some great expressions but this wasn’t really the best time for a downpour so I did feel for Felicity. I tried to stay positive, but my comments of it being ‘just a passing shower’ were eventually proven to be a bit wide of the mark and poor Felicity had no choice but to make a mad dash for it!

I think the congregation had some idea by now it was a bit damp outside. I raised a few chuckles when I came into the church completely drenched, to make my way to the front and document the bridal party’s arrival. As you can see though, Felicity wasn’t going to let the rain put a dampner on her smile on seeing Tom!

As usual, a lovely service by Tom the vicar followed, with some great touches from Felicity’s extended family.

After the service, in a small window of ‘slightly less’ rain, Felicity and Tom made their way out through the raised swords of the Guard Of Honour and confetti down to their car to make their way to Penshurst Place.

Reception

Everyone made their way around to Penshurt Place and up to the Sunderland Room for drinks and canapes. Sadly the weather meant we couldn’t go out into the stunning gardens – a real shame, but as you can see still plenty of smiles and joy were around!

After photographing the groups indoors, Tash and I documented the drinks reception and then the lovely details of the wedding breakfast in The Baron’s Hall – we were grateful of the fire in there by that stage!

Pretty soon it was time for the guests to take their seats and the bride and groom to make their entrance to the wedding breakfast before food was served.

After the dessert course, as the rain had stopped, I took the bride and groom into the beautiful grounds of Penshurst Place for some photos (with the kind help and permission of the fantastic staff at Penshurst), making it back just in time as the rain made an unwelcome return. I was so glad to be able to get the guys out their though as their venue is a photographer’s dream – so many great locations!

Speeches and Evening Reception

Before long it was time for the speeches – Felicity’s father first, then her step-father, followed by Tom, the best man, and finally Tom’s sister – so a few to cover! But great to see and hear, and some fun moments with two birthday cakes coming out as a surprise!

After a quick cake cut, it was time for the first dance and then the party really got going! A great covers band had the dance floor rocking! The shots started coming out and it was great to see everyone really going for it!

A quick shot of Penshurst Place by night and then it was time for us to leave the guys to it!

Congratulations once again to Felicity and Tom, and I’m so glad you didn’t let the British weather spoil your amazing day!